The Elder Futhark

Mythology

According to Norse mythology, the runes were give to man by Odin, who hung upside down for nine nights on the World Tree - Yggdrassil, searching out the secrets of the mind and of the Universe. It is said that the mysteries of the runes were revealed to Odin after passing into the afterlife, on his rebirth he passed this wisdom on to man. The Havamal, which means "The High One's Words" (the high one being Odin), is a narrative mythic poem, dating from around the 10th century, dedicated to the god Odin. In verses of the Havamal it describes how the god Odin received divine power through the magic of the runes.

"I know that I hung on the windy treeFor nine whole nights,Wounded with the spear, dedicated to Odin,Myself to myself."